Question

Which of the following quadratic equations has vertex (3,-4) and passes through the point (4,1)?

Answer 1

vertex is (3,-4) so you know it looks like
\[y=a(x-3)^2-4\] you just don't know "a" yet

Answer 2

but you know if x is 4, then y = 1 so write
\[1=a(4-3)^2-4\] and solve for "a"